“Nobody talks about how freaking hard it is to name a baby."
Spooky season is upon us — and these Halloween names for boys are totally eerie-sistable.
With Halloween right around the corner, many families are preparing for the chaos that ensues when their kids dress up in their favorite costumes and head door-to-door for an evening full of trick-or-treating.
But other families are preparing for a different type of treat — the type that takes nine months to bake.
For some of you soon-to-be-parents out there, that treat could be done baking any moment now. And if you’re expecting an October baby, then Halloween names could be a good source of inspiration for them.
So, what exactly goes into a Halloween name?
Perhaps the most popular examples of Halloween-inspired names come from the beloved (and not so beloved) characters we see in horror films and spooky stories — like Michael Myers from “Halloween.”
Michael was the 18th most popular boy’s name in the U.S. in 2024, per the Social Security Administration.
Jack, which ranked 15th in 2024, could be the perfect way to honor Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Jack Torrance from “The Shining” or the iconic jack-o'-lantern you carve each season.
READ MORE: Fall names for boys inspired by the colors and traditions that make autumn so unforgettable
Halloween names can also be inspired by candy, the fall season or names with dark or spooky meanings.
As we’ll uncover in the lists below, Halloween names don’t need to scream “October 31st” to carry the perfect amount of spook — and are often just as sweet as they are scary for your soon-to-be son.
So, grab your costume, prepare your bucket of candy and enjoy these unique Halloween boy names!
Halloween boy names with dark and spooky meanings
If you're looking to lean into the eerier side of Halloween without going full Freddy Krueger, then baby names with dark and mysterious meanings might be your sweet spot — or in this case, spooky spot.
Think about names that mean “black,” “death,” “darkness” or “night.”
Your little one won't need to explain his name's creepy origins at every introduction, but those in the know will appreciate the haunting nod — and you’ll get to celebrate its meaning every year on Oct. 31.
Here are a few names that fit this category while still sounding perfectly wearable for everyday life.
Kieran
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: Black
Kieran, pronounced KEER-in, is the Anglicized form of Ciarán and, ultimately, Ciar, which comes from the Irish word ciar, meaning “black.” In Irish mythology, Ciar was a son of Fergus mac Róich and Medb.
Blake
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Black; Dark; Pale; White
Blake, pronounced BLAYK, has a bit of a dual meaning. It originated as a surname derived from the Old English blæc, meaning "black" or "dark," but can also stem from the word blāc, meaning "pale" or "white."
Jett
Origin: English; French
Meaning: Black; Black gemstone; Fast plane; To thrust
Jett, pronounced JET, comes from the name of the gemstone jet, also known as jetstone, which is a type of lignite coal known for its deep black appearance. It’s a mineraloid that’s formed from fossilized wood.
Mortimer
Origin: Old French; Latin
Meaning: Dead water; Death
Mortimer, pronounced MOR-duh-mer or MOR-tih-mer, is believed to mean “dead water” in Old French, but can also be linked to the Latin word mortis, meaning “death” — a common theme come Halloween.
Orpheus
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Darkness of the night
Orpheus, pronounced OHR-fee-iss, is believed to derive from the Greek word orphne, meaning “the darkness of the night.” In Greek mythology, Orpheus traveled to the underworld to retrieve his dead wife.
Nox
Origin: Latin; Roman
Meaning: Night
Nox, pronounced NOX, comes directly from the Latin word nox, meaning “night.” It’s typically a feminine name (referring to the Roman goddess of the night) but is close enough to Knox that it works both ways.
Sullivan
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Dark eye; Black eye
Sullivan, pronounced SULL-ih-vihn, comes from an Irish surname derived from the Irish given name Súileabhán, which is composed of the elements súil, meaning “eye,” and dubh, meaning “dark” or “black.”
Kyron
Origin: English; Irish
Meaning: Black
Kyron, pronounced KYE-rihn or KEY-rihn, is an Anglicized variant of Kieran, Ciarán and, ultimately, Ciar, which comes from the Irish word ciar, meaning “black.” You can also spell it Kyran, Kieron or Kiaran.
Douglas
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Dark river; Black water
Douglas, pronounced DUG-liss, originated as a Scottish surname and English place name composed of the Gaelic elements dubh, meaning “dark” or “black,” and glais, meaning “water” or “river.”
Nero
Origin: Italian; Roman
Meaning: Black; Strong; Vigorous
Nero, pronounced NEER-oh or NAIR-oh, comes directly from the Italian word nero, meaning “black,” adding to our growing list of black-inspired names. It can also mean “strong” via a Roman cognomen.
Halloween baby names inspired by candy
What's Halloween without the candy?
Whether you're team chocolate or team gummy — team sweet or team sour — there's no denying that trick-or-treating wouldn't be the same without those overflowing buckets (or pillowcases) of candy.
And believe it or not, some of your favorite candy doubles as perfectly normal baby names.
From timeless classics like Clark and Henry that happen to share a name with iconic candies to more creative nods to your favorite treats like Rally or Rocky, these names are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Just don't blame us when you start craving a candy bar every time you call your son's name.
Charleston
Origin: English; Germanic
Meaning: Son of Charles
A Charleston Chew is a classic American chocolate bar featuring a marshmallow-flavored nougat center and a chocolate coating. Created in 1922, it was named after the popular Charleston dance of the era.
Clark
Origin: Old English; Latin
Meaning: Priest; Clergyman
A Clark Bar is a classic American candy bar that has been around since 1917. It consists of a crispy peanut butter and spun taffy core covered in milk chocolate. It was discontinued in 2018 and brought back in 2020.
Heath
Origin: English
Meaning: Uncultivated land; Heather flower
The Heath Bar is a beloved toffee candy bar that's been an American favorite since 1914. It features a thin, crunchy English toffee center covered in milk chocolate. It was acquired by Hershey's in 1996.
Henry
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Home ruler
The Oh Henry! bar was an American chocolate bar with crunchy peanuts, chewy fudge, and creamy caramel, coated in chocolate. It was introduced in the 1920s, but was discontinued in the U.S. in 2019.
Rally
Origin: English
Meaning: To come together; Recover
The Hershey's Rally bar is a chocolate bar, introduced in the 1970s, with a nougat center, caramel coating and peanuts, similar to a Snickers. It has been discontinued and brought back to market in limited runs.
Junior
Origin: English
Meaning: Young boy
Junior Mints are a popular American chocolate candy featuring a creamy, cool peppermint-flavored center covered in a thin layer of dark chocolate. It was named after the popular Broadway show "Junior Miss.”
Mike
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God-like; Who is like God?
Mike and Ike are fruit-flavored chewy candies made by Just Born, Inc., similar to jelly beans but with a more distinct oblong shape and a chewy, fruit-flavored center. They’re also available in a sour flavor.
Ike
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: He will laugh; He will rejoice
If we’re including Mike (a diminutive of Michael), then we might as well include Ike (a diminutive of Isaac). The exact origin of the name of the Mike and Ike candy is unknown — even to the company that makes it.
Jimmie
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Jimmie Stix are a classic candy bar that consists of two pretzel sticks covered in milk chocolate and peanut butter. They were invented by Boyer Candy Company, but aren’t as popular as other candy bars.
Rocky
Origin: English
Meaning: Filled with rocks; Crow; Rook
Rocky Road, originally made by Annabelle Candy Company, are made of chewy marshmallow and roasted cashews, all coated in smooth milk chocolate. It’s also the name of a popular ice cream.
Halloween names inspired by the fall season
Halloween might get all the glory, but let's not forget about the season that makes it possible — fall.
There's something undeniably cozy about autumn, from the crisp air that begs for flannel and bonfires to the vibrant leaves that crunch beneath your boots as they change color and eventually fall to the ground.
So, if you're welcoming a little one this October, why not draw inspiration from the season itself?
Names inspired by fall often bring about images of chopping wood for the fireplace, hunting expeditions at dawn, the smell of pumpkin spice or cinnamon and trees that paint the landscape in amber and gold.
Here are a few nature-inspired names that are perfect for any October or autumn arrival.
Hunter
Origin: English
Meaning: Hunter; Pursuer
Hunter, pronounced HUN-ter, derives from the Old English word hunta, meaning "hunter" or "pursuer." Fall has long been associated with hunting season, especially with deer, migratory birds and turkey.
Sawyer
Origin: English
Meaning: Woodcutter; One who cuts wood
Sawyer, pronounced SOY-er, originated as an English occupational surname given to someone who saws or cuts wood. After all, fall is the season when splitting and stacking firewood becomes a cherished ritual.
Keanu
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: Cool breeze
Keanu, pronounced KEE-ah-noo, comes from the Hawaiian elements ke, a definitive article, and anu, meaning “coolness.” It captures autumn's signature weather phenomenon as cool breezes fill the air.
Flint
Origin: English
Meaning: Rock known for producing sparks
Flint, pronounced FLINT, comes directly from the English word flint, referring to the type of rock commonly used in creating fire. Flint embodies the warmth that becomes so precious as temperatures begin to drop.
Aspen
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Aspen tree; City in Colorado
Aspen, pronounced ASS-pin, comes from the Old English word æspe, referring to the aspen tree known for its white bark and yellow foliage. Aspen trees are the most widely distributed tree in North America.
Blaine
Origin: Scottish; Old Irish
Meaning: Yellow
Blaine, pronounced BLAYN, comes from the Old Irish name Bláán and Old Irish word blá, meaning “yellow, combined with a diminutive suffix. Yellow is perhaps the most luminous hue in autumn's palette.
Cypress
Origin: Greek; Late Latin
Meaning: Cypress tree
Cypress, pronounced SYE-priss, derives from the Late Latin word cypressus and Greek word kyparissos, referring to the evergreen tree known for its bright, coppery-bronze, cinnamon and orange fall foliage.
Rowan
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Rowan tree; Little red one
Rowan, pronounced ROW-an, comes from the Gaelic word ruadh, meaning "red," and the rowan tree (mountain ash), known for its bright red berries. Its fall foliage is full of fiery yellow, orange and red hues.
Bruno
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brown
Bruno, pronounced BROO-no, derives from the Germanic element bruno, meaning “brown.” Brown appears everywhere in autumn landscapes, including the bark on trees and color of freshly fallen leaves.
Rory
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Red-haired king
Rory, pronounced ROR-ee, is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Ruaidhrí, composed of the Old Irish words rúad, meaning “red,” and rí, meaning “king.” Maple and Oak trees often have red leaves in the fall.
Baby names inspired by beloved Halloween characters
We’ve covered spooky meanings, the fall season and candy — now let’s get into the characters.
If you grew up watching horror movies through your fingers or reading spooky stories under the covers with a flashlight, then these Halloween-inspired names might feel like the ultimate homage to the season.
Sure, some of these picks come with a bit of baggage — we're looking at you, Freddy and Jason.
But many are so timeless and classic that most people won't immediately make the horror connection — and most of them come with surprisingly thoughtful and layered meanings to grab ahold of.
So, let’s take a moment to prove that even the spookiest stories can inspire the sweetest baby names.
Michael
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Who is like God?; God-like
Michael, pronounced MY-kuhl, comes from a Hebrew name meaning “Who is like God?” It refers to Michael Myers, the masked killer from the "Halloween" film series, not to be confused with Mike Meyers.
Jack
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is gracious; Jack-o-lantern
Jack, pronounced JAK, is a diminutive of John, which means “God is gracious” in Hebrew. In this case, it refers to several Halloween characters, such as jack-o-lanterns, Jack Skellington and Jack Torrance.
Draco
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Dragon; Count Dracula
Draco, pronounced DRAY-koh or DRAK-oh, comes from the Greek name Drakon, meaning “dragon.” In this case, we’re using it as a nickname for Count Dracula, one of the most popular vampires of all-time.
Freddie
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Peaceful ruler; Freddy Krueger
Freddie, pronounced FREH-dee, is a diminutive of the German name Frederick, which means “peaceful ruler.” It refers to one of horror’s most iconic villains: Freddy Krueger from "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
Chuckie
Origin: English; Germanic
Meaning: Man; Army; Chucky doll
Chuckie, pronounced CHUH-kee, is a diminutive of the names Charles and Karl, which means “man” or “army” in German. Chucky is the nickname of the killer doll from the "Child's Play" horror franchise.
Jason
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Healer; Jason Voorhees
Jason, pronounced JAY-sin, comes from the Greek name Iason, which derives from the Greek word iaomai, meaning “to heal.” Jason Voorhees is the hockey-masked killer from the "Friday the 13th" series.
Bram
Origin: Hebrew; Dutch
Meaning: Father of many; Bram Stoker
Bram, pronounced BRAM, is a shortened form of Abraham, which means “father of many” in Hebrew. In this case, it’s linked to Bram Stoker, the Irish author who popularized Count Dracula through “Dracula.”
Casper
Origin: Dutch; Scandinavian; Hebrew
Meaning: Treasurer; Casper the Friendly Ghost
Casper, pronounced KASS-purr, is the Dutch and Scandinavian form of Jasper, which means “treasurer” in Hebrew. It refers to the beloved ghost in “Casper the Friendly Ghost” — but not all ghosts are friendly.
Billy
Origin: English; Germanic
Meaning: Desire to protect; Billy the Puppet
Billy, pronounced BILL-ee, is a diminutive of William, which means “desire to protect” in German. It refers to Billy the Puppet, the iconic and creepy tricycle-riding puppet from the "Saw" horror film franchise.
Edward
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Rich guard; Guardian of wealth; Edward Scissorhands
Edward, pronounced ED-werd, comes from the Old English elements ead, meaning “wealth,” and weard, meaning “guard.” It refers to the titular character from Tim Burton's 1990 film “Edward Scissorhands.”
John
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is gracious; John Kramer
John, pronounced JAHN, is composed of the Hebrew elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “to be gracious.” It refers to John Kramer, the real name of the Jigsaw Killer from the “Saw” franchise.
Fester
Origin:
Meaning: Rot; Rankle; Uncle Fester
Fester, pronounced FESS-ter, comes directly from the English word fester, meaning “rot” or “rankle.” It refers to Uncle Fester, a beloved and core member of the eccentric, macabre Addams family.
Pubert
Origin: English
Meaning: Puberty; Pubert Addams
Pubert, pronounced PEW-bert, doesn’t have a definitive origin or meaning, but is a shortened form of the word “puberty.” It refers to the third child of Gomez and Morticia Addams from "Addams Family Values.”
Norman
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Northman; Norman Bates
Norman, pronounced NOHR-min, comes from a Germanic byname meaning “northman” or “man of the north.” It refers to Norman Bates, the protagonist/antagonist of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film "Psycho."
Art
Origin: Celtic; English
Meaning: Bear-like; Skill; Art the Clown
Art, pronounced ART, is a diminutive of Arther, which means “bear-like” in Celtic or “skill” in English. It refers to Art the Clown, a terrifying silent killer clown character from the "Terrifier" horror franchise.
Ichabod
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: No glory; Not glorious; Ichabod Crane
Ichabod, pronounced IH-kuh-bahd, is composed of the Hebrew elements i, meaning “not,” and kavad, meaning “to be glorious.” It refers to Ichabod Crane, the protagonist in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
Frankie
Origin: Germanic; Latin
Meaning: Frenchman; Frankenstein
Frankie, pronounced FRENK-ee, comes from a Germanic tribe (the Franks) and means “Frenchman” in Latin. In this case, it’s a nickname for Frankenstein, a character in Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's novel of the same name.
Edgar
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Wealthy spear; Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar, pronounced ED-ger, is composed of the Old English elements ead, meaning wealth,” and gar, meaning “spear.” In this case, it refers to Edgar Allan Poe, a poet known for his use of mystery, psychological terror and the macabre.
Damien
Origin: Greek
Meaning: To tame; Damien Thorn
Damien, pronounced DAY-mee-ihn, comes from the Greek word damanzo, meaning “to tame.” It refers to Damien Thorn, the antichrist and “Son of Satan” character from “The Omen” horror film franchise.
Mordecai
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Servant of Marduk; The Harbinger
Mordecai, pronounced MOR-dih-kye, means “servant of Marduk” in Hebrew. In this case, it refers to a character named Mordecai from “The Cabin in the Woods” who works at a gas station and acts as “The Harbinger.”
What’s the final verdict on Halloween names for boys?
Finding the perfect baby name can feel like an impossible task with so many options to choose from.
But as this list proves, baby name inspiration can come from the most unexpected places — even from the spooky season itself, so long as you’re willing to let your mind wander to often-uncharted territory.
Yet, most of the names listed above aren’t too inconspicuous and will blend in well with other names.
And that’s true with names that have dark and mysterious meanings, sweet nods to your favorite candy, nature-inspired picks that celebrate autumn and tributes to some of your favorite Halloween characters.
But if you're still searching for the perfect name, Mod Moms Club has you covered.
From curated baby name lists organized by theme, origin and meaning to our baby name generator that can help you discover unique options in seconds — we’re here to help you find the perfect baby name.
ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: New survey reveals the most popular source of inspiration when choosing a baby name
After all, choosing a name for your baby boy should be a treat — not a trick.
